It Might Get Load - documentary


Last night at the local arts theatre I saw "It Might Get Load". Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White in a documentary together on the electric guitar from the point of view of these three significant rock music artists, directed by Davis Guggenheim and found it most enjoyable. I will not spoil the experience by giving a complete play by play, if you need that, go to the web for trailers.

Just to make a comment about something tangential to the point of this tread for a moment and I promise only a moment. I find it strange and somewhat condescending that here in the U.S. a review or trailer to a movie tends to completely give it away (the plot). Why not tantalize and offer a mystery and establish some desire and anticipation to experience more? So few things are a mystery these days.

We'll having said that, I won't let the cat out of the bag or anything yet, sufficed to say, it is what it sounds like and I'll just highly recommend it.

Happy Listening
128x128r_f_sayles
It's not often that a movie with subject matter like this comes around to the big screen so that's why I liked it.
I kinda agree there was no real point to it, a conversation between 3 talents is only interesting if we feel part of it and that there was an ultimate point of it all. It was either too short or poorly thought out because it was just fluff in the end. I did come away thinking Jack was the guy I was most impressed with and I should walk back a step on my Edge slaps because he didnt play a rock star, he came off as genuine but I dont think much of his ability. I rewatched it and still found parts interesting but only a few.
I just finished watching this documentary, piecemeal to be honest, over the past week. I'm not sure I understand what the point of it was. To discuss "life choices that drove them to become musicians" according to my cable. That's it? Every musician has a story; many probably much more interesting than those three. I thought there was more of a reason why they were chosen. I found the whole film rather bland and frankly boring even though I appreciate their music, especially Led Zeppelin. What did I miss?
good film, though jack white has always struck me as something of a fake--a smart, ambitious guy who's skillfully persuaded the media to give him laurels somewhat disproportionate to his talent. the edge registers as a nice guy who's wholly oblivious to the fact that all the effects pedals in ireland will never make him a very interesting guitar player. as for jimmy page, he's a notorious song thief who seems content to enjoy his wealth (what's with the frilly silk shirt?) and put out very little music since zep (death watch 2, anyone?). still, you can never claim that he's not a fantastic guitarist. i've trashed more that one guitar trying futilely to play "tangerine".
Love the scene where Page is spinning 45's and puts on Link Wray's Rumble...here is a guy I was in awe of as a performer and suddenly felt this connection that he was a music fan just like the rest of us. The way he just lit up - he could have been any one of my 15 yo buds spinning discs over to my folks house back in the day.
i really like Jeff Beck, listen to his stuff a lot, he is amazing. For me, I still think that Jimmy Page is much more enjoyable.
>>02-21-12: Maxnewid
I love Jeff Beck, but Clapton and Young's music is more commercially accessible<<

Commercially accessible was never mentioned in your earlier post.

But as long as the rules are open ended, as a guitarist only Neil Young couldn't carry Jeff Beck's guitar case.

And I think Neil Young is a terrific songwriter and performer.
I love Jeff Beck, but Clapton and Young's music is more commercially accessible. I imagine Mick and Keith would want to weigh in on my opinion as well- and let's not forget Pete Townshend.
>>02-20-12: Maxnewid
but Clapton and maybe Neil Young are probably the only living guitar players whose body of works compare to Jimmy Page.<<

I believe fans of Jeff Beck will take issue with your mistake.
I think the three were well chosen. Page representing the early "big rock", THe Edge as part of the middle and White as representing the latest rebirth. Notice how there is a rebirth every few years? At the end of the day you gotta make music no matter what your guitar chops are and I think thats why these 3 were chosen. Hard to think of too many alternatives (angus, sambora?, ummm?) FUnny thing was when Page explains DADGAD tuning like its some mystery of the ages. Oh well, a little respect for our elders is not a bad thing and Page did help change the landscape of guitar music. WHites great, rough and brash rock. U2 may well have created the best/biggest body of work of all.
White is the ultimate R&R fan club and whatever his personal talent, his modesty carries the film. Page is the ultimate narcissist, and whatever his talent, his self-embracing tales obviously bore and amuse the Edge. Over a longer run U2 is as "big" as Zep-- Edge handles himself well without the need to burnish his legend.
The expression I saw on Jack White's face when Jimmy was playing was that of, "am I really here seeing this with my own eyes" pure AWE.
I saw U2 at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1980. They had just released "War" and were about to break through internationally. The Edge sat behind a grand piano and would rotate between a pedal steel and piano; the whole time banging an electric guitar strapped to his chest with tons of echo. He would be the first to admit that he compensates for lack of fundamental skill with effects and feedback. More than anything, I admire originality in artists. There were plenty of guitar thrashers in hair bands in the 80's who could pick a million miles a minute, but had no soul to their music. The early U2 albums cut through the BS music of the time and created an exciting new sound. I like Jack White as well, but Clapton and maybe Neil Young are probably the only living guitar players whose body of works compare to Jimmy Page. In 20 years or so, we will see how U2 and Jack White's legacies survive the test of time. You could see the admiration and humility in both White and the Edge's eyes when Page played "Whole Lotta Love" in the documentary.
He is semi talented and calls himself "The Edge" and expects to be called that by the world, it would be pretty easy to blow a guy like that off. Does anyone really think he is so special?
Did anyone else get the sense that Jack White was digging his time with Jimmy Page but kind of blowing off The Edge? Maybe it's because White starts the film by nailing a string to a board and says that that's good enough while The Edge makes it clear that he wants 600 pedals before he'll strike a note, but I got the feeling that Jack White didn't think very highly of him.

Marty
Its on VH1 Classic (most always found on basic cable) all the time for those who want to see it.
I recall seeing this thread but just now got to see this film and was totally in awe of it, amazing. Three different approaches to the guitar and music but one thing was clearly in common, an passion for musical creativity and a love of the instrument itself.
It sounds as if it is documentary worth watching. Yes I know what you mean about the movie previews and trailers here in the US often giving away too much information about the movie or documetary before you even have a chance to watch.
good catch Riley804, Opps!"It Might Get LoUd"... and it did in a very nice way.

Gdoodle, awesome! It makes me want to be nine years old all over again. Being somewhat more than nine at this point though gave me the chance to see Led Zeppelin during the Houses of the Holy tour for a six dollar and fifty cent ticket. That wouldn't even cover the "convenience" fee from ticket b*st*rds today.
I enjoyed it - even my 9 year old enjoyed it. Interesting and new approach to documentary/filmed event. Edge admits to goofing around and playing almost nothing at all but his massive wall of effects units is responsible for much of his sound. As a guitar player I loved seeing the history of various guitars that have been important to these 3 guys. Afterwards my kid got inspired and we made a little youtube video called "this kid might get loud" - he thinks he's famous now.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4pUvdQ-fEM
I thought it was called "I Might Get Laid".

Oh, no...different movie again.

Marty

PS Having read quite abit of positive commentary, I'm looking forward to seeing this film.
It Might Get Load sounds like an altogether different type of film.

Sorry. I agree with Rf's assessment and am glad I saw the film.